Striking that balance between work and real life, being able to establish priorities and understand what is truly important, has never been an easy task for young, successful professionals.

They become all consumed with their status in their industries, believing that a single-minded, all-consuming focus will set them apart.

But it is not until they realize that there needs to be something else, something to keep them grounded and attached to the realities and responsibilities of the real world, that they are able to achieve all that they can, to live the well-rounded life that is so important to success.

And with that, take into consideration the 2013-14 Raptors, a growing, maturing, group of young men who may now be getting their priorities in the right order.

A handful of them have undergone life-changing moments in the past few months with marriages and the arrival of children and they now bring a different perspective — a more grown-up perspective — to their careers that can only stand them in good stead.

Gone are the days of instant gratification and VIP sections and the trappings of fame that are fleeting and often fake.

“I think it’s one of those situations where you start to look at things differently,” said Kyle Lowry, who married his long-time girlfriend and the mother of his son this past summer. “You have your own family and you have the responsibility to take care of your family. You don’t have any distractions that you shouldn’t have, everything is focused on your job and your family.

“Our job is basketball and my family understand that’s my job and that’s what I do, so there are no distractions. They support me and just want to make sure I’m in the calmest of places.”

The changes have been significant and throughout the roster, a reflection of a young group of men growing up. Lowry, Rudy Gay and Jonas Valanciunas were all married in the off-season; DeMar DeRozan and Landry Fields had children.

The kids are growing up.

“And with that growth, they grow up on the court,” said coach Dwane Casey. “They look at things differently, it’s not about me, it’s not about myself, it’s about the team like it’s about his family.

“I see that in our players. Masai (Ujiri, the team’s general manager) brought it up, I brought it up in our first meeting. We told them we have so many guys at different places in their lives now … your whole life and your outlook on life should change, not only on the court but off the court.”

It is, of course, off the court where the most dramatic change occurs but it is a symbiotic relationship. Being able to separate work from life, to have something that allows a player to get away from the grind of the job somehow makes the job easier.

“You have more responsibilities that you have to take care of and be one top of,” said DeRozan. “That carries over into the workplace as well.

“I used to put so much stress on myself and be so down on myself sometimes when things weren’t going as well as I wanted them to be. Now, I’m relaxed. I go home, play with my daughter, have a free mind, a free conscience and get all that negative energy out that may come with the job.”

The reach and responsibility is deep, players understand that generations from now things they do will resonate. It’s one thing to play for fans and friends, it’s entirely different when there is your history on the line. It’s a sobering thought, and important.

“Obviously before you’re playing for your family but now you’re playing for your lineage,” said Gay, whose wife is expecting the couple’s first child in May. “Now I have my own family, it’s closer to me so there is a little bit more to play for.

“You have to grow up, you have to take care of your responsibilities. Everything now is more in order, you have to take care of it.”

Now in his third year in Toronto, Casey has spoken often about building a “program” and a “culture” around the Raptors. He appreciates young men with their priorities in the right place, knowing that could turn into professional improvement.

“It’s huge when a young man has that responsibility,” he said. “He gets married, has a family now. His whole responsibility and accountability has changed and I think it’s so important in man’s growth.”

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